Finnegan-Johnson rematch unlikely

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- A rematch of the 2010 Cortland Finnegan-Andre Johnson bout will have to serve as the undercard for the long-awaited Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight.

Which is to say, it's almost certainly not going to happen. Rams cornerback Finnegan and Texans receiver Johnson have battled thigh and shin injuries all week, to the point that Finnegan didn't practice and Johnson is considered a game-day decision.

For those who don't remember, Finnegan and Johnson got tangled up in a 2010 meeting in Houston when Finnegan was still with the Tennessee Titans. That entanglement led to full-on haymakers being thrown by an enraged Johnson, who said at the time he lost his cool.

"He kept doing little things, and I told him: 'Just because you're frustrated, you need to stop what you're doing,'" Johnson said then. "I guess he thought it was funny."

Such antics aren't likely to take place this week as Finnegan is listed on the injury report as doubtful. He didn't play against Jacksonville last week because of the injury.

Johnson told Houston reporter Tania Ganguli on Friday that he expects to play and that he doesn't care whether Finnegan plays Sunday. Finnegan was unavailable for comment this week because he didn't participate in practice.

Elsewhere, hopes of having defensive lineman William Hayes back from a knee injury appeared to take something of a hit Friday. Hayes got more work each day of practice this week until Friday when he didn't participate. He is listed as questionable. It's likely he'll be a game-time decision in Houston.

Running back Zac Stacy (chest) made progress each day this week, working as a full participant Friday after he was limited Thursday and didn't participate Wednesday. He is listed as questionable but is trending in the right direction.